Rus'-Byzantine Treaty (911)
Encyclopedia
The Rus'–Byzantine Treaty of 911 is the most comprehensive and detailed treaty concluded between the Byzantine Empire
and Kievan Rus in the 10th century. It was preceded by the preliminary treaty of 907.
The text of the document, incorporated into the Primary Chronicle
, has many affinities in content and phrasing with the trade treaties later concluded by Byzantium with the merchant republics of Italy
. It was composed in two languages and signed personally by Emperor Leo VI
. The text also includes speeches of the parties on the occasion. No treaties of comparable complexity and antiquity are known among the other societies in Europe of that time.
The treaty opens with a lengthy enumeration of the Rus' envoys, whose names are exclusively Norse: Karl, Ingjald, Farulf, Vermund, Hrollaf, Gunnar, Harold, Kami, Frithleif, Hroarr, Angantyr, Throand, Leithulf, Fast, and Steinvith. The articles 3 to 7 regulate criminal law
and the life of their colony at Constantinople
. There is also a proviso on inheritance of a merchant who died in the imperial capital. The article 8 is dedicated to maritime law. The following articles enlarge on ransom of captives, exchange of criminals, and the status of the Varangian
mercenaries in Byzantine service.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
and Kievan Rus in the 10th century. It was preceded by the preliminary treaty of 907.
The text of the document, incorporated into the Primary Chronicle
Primary Chronicle
The Primary Chronicle , Ruthenian Primary Chronicle or Russian Primary Chronicle, is a history of Kievan Rus' from about 850 to 1110, originally compiled in Kiev about 1113.- Three editions :...
, has many affinities in content and phrasing with the trade treaties later concluded by Byzantium with the merchant republics of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It was composed in two languages and signed personally by Emperor Leo VI
Leo VI
Leo VI may refer to:* Leo VI the Wise, Byzantine emperor*Pope Leo VI, pope in 928*King Leo VI of Armenia , of the House of Lusignan, last Latin king of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia...
. The text also includes speeches of the parties on the occasion. No treaties of comparable complexity and antiquity are known among the other societies in Europe of that time.
The treaty opens with a lengthy enumeration of the Rus' envoys, whose names are exclusively Norse: Karl, Ingjald, Farulf, Vermund, Hrollaf, Gunnar, Harold, Kami, Frithleif, Hroarr, Angantyr, Throand, Leithulf, Fast, and Steinvith. The articles 3 to 7 regulate criminal law
Criminal law
Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...
and the life of their colony at Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
. There is also a proviso on inheritance of a merchant who died in the imperial capital. The article 8 is dedicated to maritime law. The following articles enlarge on ransom of captives, exchange of criminals, and the status of the Varangian
Varangians
The Varangians or Varyags , sometimes referred to as Variagians, were people from the Baltic region, most often associated with Vikings, who from the 9th to 11th centuries ventured eastwards and southwards along the rivers of Eastern Europe, through what is now Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.According...
mercenaries in Byzantine service.